Food
Food Information
Peppers/Chiles

ESPELETTES

A medium spiced red pepper grown exclusively under a French Appellation d'Origne Controlee (AOC 1999). Only 10 French communities are allowed to use the name Espelette: Espelette, Ainhoa, Cambo les Bains, Halsou, Itsassou, Jatsou, Laressore, St. Pee sur Nivelle, Souraide, and Ustarritz. The total growing area is about 3,000 acres. Both fresh and dried Espelettes have become a staple of Southwestern French cuisine and Basque food. Look for an array of strings, or braids of Espelettes hanging to dry from the village buildings of this quaint part of France.

Where: Southwest France
Heat: 4-6